Pakistan official says at least 15 people killed in NATO tanker blast

Posted: May 21, 2011 - 12:04am

The Associated Press

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A Pakistani official says a tanker carrying oil for NATO forces in Afghanistan exploded in northwestern Pakistan as people were apparently trying to take some of its fuel. At least 15 people died in the explosion.

Local administrator Abdul Nabi Khan says the incident occurred early Saturday in the Landi Kotal area of Khyber tribal region.

According to Khan, at first, the tanker caught fire. After it appeared the blaze was under control, people tried to take the tanker's fuel. Then the blast occurred.

Separately, in the Torkham area of Khyber at the Afghan border, 14 NATO tankers were damaged in a bombing. No one was hurt.

Many vehicles carrying supplies for Western troops in Afghanistan travel through Pakistan.